C. Regulation of Dangerous Dogs. All dangerous dogs, including pit bulls, shall be especially confined and treated as follows:
(1) Registration. The owner or keeper shall register the dangerous dog with the Public Safety Department. The owner or keeper must establish that all conditions of this ordinance section and any applicable court order have been met. The registration is valid so long as the dangerous dog is kept on the same premises under the same conditions.
(2) Identification photographs. The owner or keeper shall provide the Public Safety Department with two color photographs of the dangerous dog which clearly show the color and approximate size of the animal.
(3) Microchip. The owner or keeper shall, at his or her own expense, have a microchip inserted and activated by an accredited veterinarian with the number registered with the Public Safety Department. The owner or keeper shall also provide the Public Safety Department with a current telephone number.
(4) Leash and muzzle. No person shall permit a dangerous dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless it is securely leashed with a leash no longer that six feet in length. No such dog shall be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash and physically capable of restraining the animal. Such dogs may not be leashed or tied to inanimate objects. Any such dog on a leash outside its kennel or pen must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent the dog from biting persons or other animals.
(5) Confinement. All dangerous dos shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed, muzzled and controlled as provided in subsection C (1) of this section. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secured sides and a secured top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine dangerous dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. The structure must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen must be embedded in the ground no less than two feet from the grade. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(6) Confinement indoors. No dangerous dog may be kept on a porch, patio, or any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such a building. In addition, no such dog may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the house or structure.
(7) Reporting Requirements. The owner or keeper of a dangerous dog must provide in writing to the Public Safety Department the following:
(a) Notify the Public Safety Department immediately when the owner or keeper has knowledge that such dog is at large, unconfined, or has attacked an individual or animal.
(b) Notify the Public Safety Department within a twenty-four hour period when such dog has died or is removed from the City, or the birth or existence of the animal’s offspring within the City.
(c) Notify the Public Safety Department within a twenty-four hour period when such dog is sold or given away to another person. The notification shall include the name, address, telephone number and city of the new owner.
(8) Signs. All owners or handlers of dangerous dogs within the city shall display in a prominent place on the premises and on the pen or kennel a sign stating the word “Beware of Dog”. The letters shall be at least three inches in height.
(9) Insurance. All owners or handlers of dangerous dogs must obtain liability insurance with an insurer authorized to write liability insurance in this State providing coverage in each occurrence, subject to a limit, exclusive of interest and costs, of not less than $50,000 for bodily injury, death or property damage caused by the dangerous dog.
(10) Number. No more than one dog of the breed or description determined by this chapter to be dangerous shall be kept on any premises in the city with the exception of puppies, which shall be removed after weaning (generally six weeks of age).
Fred M. Kray
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